Police & Fire

Police: Dumbbells, Knife Used To Kill Elderly Couple

Matthew Long, a Pikesville resident, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his grandparents, and is being held in an Oklahoma detention center.

By Janet Metzner
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September 19, 2012

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Vaughn George Pepper and Marjorie Marie Pepper, 1998, courtesy of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Pikesville.

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Vaughn George Pepper and Marjorie Marie Pepper, 1998, courtesy of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Pikesville.

Credit Janet Metzner

A Baltimore County Police Department cruiser and officer are outside the home of Vaughn and Marjorie Pepper, at 800 Olmstead Road in Pikesville. Police found the Peppers' bodies in the home on Monday.

Credit Janet Metzner

Baltimore County police went to the Peppers' home Monday afternoon at the request of a relative and a neighbor, to check on the couple. Through a window, they saw Vaughn Pepper's body on the first floor. His wife's body was found in the basement, police said.

Credit Janet Metzner

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Twenty-pound dumbbells and a knife were the weapons used to kill longtime Sudbrook Park residents Vaughn and Marjorie Pepper.

According to Baltimore County police, the dumbbells have been recovered, but the knife has not.

The Peppers died of blunt- and sharp-force trauma, according to a news release Wednesday.

Police also say that Matthew Long, 31, their grandson and suspect in their suspicious deaths, was found unconscious in a motel room in Weatherford, OK, by Oklahoma police.

"Oklahoma authorities found a note in the room saying, "I'm sorry,'" the release states.

Long is being held in Weatherford, OK, "on a Baltimore County warrant charging him with two counts of first-degree murder," it states.

Baltimore County police found the Peppers' bodies inside their Olmstead Road Home on Sept. 10 after a neighbor and out-of-state relative requested that they check on them.

Homicide detectives believe the Peppers died Sept. 8.

Long, who was living with the couple, was missing.

Baltimore County homicide detectives went to Oklahoma where Long was hospitalized, then announced he was a suspect on Sept. 14, the day of the Peppers' funeral and burial in Secretary, Dorchester County.

"Baltimore County homicide detectives have interviewed Long, who willingly provided a statement. Extradition proceedings have not begun," the release states.

Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.

mcgillicuddy

3:29 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I guess it's time to outlaw dumbbells and knives now.

Joe

3:42 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

7 day waiting period to buy knives and free weights. Background check. 30 minute video on the safe use of free weights. All knives must be imprinted with a unique serial number and registered with the MSP. And close the Dumbbell Show loophole.

jd

10:17 pm on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Did you know there are about 35,000 comedians out of work and that you need not audition here, this is a very sad time for some folks, be kind. My prayers go out to those who have suffered from this tragic loss

PerryHallCrafter

7:13 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012

I can't imagine using the murders of an elderly couple as a platform for political ranting. It's sad. My heart goes out to the family of these victims. It's sad to think they suffered such brutality at the hands of someone they most likely loved.

Joe

7:49 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012

""I can't imagine using the murders of an elderly couple as a platform for political ranting"

When the liberal anti Constitutional rights idiots like Mayor Bloomberg and O'Malley et al, who use tragic deaths immediately to further their desire to restrict our constitutional rights get the same selective outrage commentary from you I may listen. Until then no, we cannot fight for our rights being held to a different standard than those wanting to take them away from us.

I will wait to see you say the same pablum the next time Bloomberg opens his pie hole the same day someone in his city is shot BY THE POLICE when aiming at a criminal.

Balt Observer

10:48 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012

Any photos of this loser Matthew Long? I have no doubt that he's a sniveling little coward.

earful4u

2:54 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012

It is very difficult. I am their only grand daughter - Thank you JD for coming to their defense.. this is not funny at all, and not a day goes by that myself and my family cry for them.
Balt observer - you reporters had access to information before the family ever did. I am sure you will find what you need